“If I had an opportunity, and I found him plotting against your happiness, or seeking to betray you into the hands of the Government, I would put a pistol to his head,” exclaimed Julian, with impetuosity. “Do not be rash, dear Julian,” said Mabel, putting her arm round her brother’s neck; “far better leave us to the care of good Monsieur Plessis, who has hitherto protected us with such marvellous devotedness and courage. Suppose suspicion is excited, and they send to search the château, what a terrible blow it would be to us all to see you arrested, carried off, and imprisoned. You must spare us that sorrow, dear Julian.” “God knows, dear Mabel, I should think little of life, if, by sacrificing it, I ensured my beloved mother and you a certainty of happiness and safety.” “Then suppose you proceed to Dulong at once on the pony,” said Jean Plessis. “If this alarm passes off, in two or three days at the furthest, we shall be ready to embark in the chasse-mare for Rouen. I can say madame prefers going as far as possible towards Paris by water, on account of that affair of the robbers, which frightened her from travelling that road again, especially as the country is really said to be infested with robbers.” “Well, though it grieves me to leave you both,” said Julian, “I will, as soon as it is dusk, set off for Dulong. Joseph will bring back the pony and let me know then how things go on, and whether they succeed in burning the Vengeance; I feel sure Thornton will make the attempt.” Mabel’s cheek grew pale; she did not like to believe in the cutting-out business, though she probably felt it was just the kind of adventure her lover would like, especially against the Vengeance, having heard him often say—“If I could only destroy that craft, I should feel great satisfaction. Her brute of a captain richly deserves punishment; but on account of his relationship to Dame Moret, I should do all I could to preserve his life.” Julian Arden, seeing it would make his mother’s and sister’s minds easy, determined to proceed to Dulong for the night. He therefore, after an affectionate leave-taking, mounted the pony, taking Joseph for a guide. It was well he did so; for scarcely an hour after his departure, the inhabitants of the château were alarmed by hearing the tramp of horses’ feet, both at the front and back of the mansion. It was Sergeant Perrin, with twelve mounted gendarmes. “Ah! my beloved child,” said Madame Coulancourt, “I thought this affair would not pass off so easily. Thank God, Julian has got out of the way! Had he stayed, he would have been arrested.” Whilst mother and daughter, and Julia Plessis were waiting in anxious suspense, Jean Plessis, followed by Sergeant François Perrin, entered the room.